My name is Chris, and I'm a photographer in the Metro Detroit area. I focus on sports and music photography, but I'll delve into just about anything I can point my camera at. I shoot pretty much exclusively for DetroitCity and for myself. I've also shot for the Xtreme Cagefighting Championships by LiveMMAFights.com, The South End News, a bunch of different bands, and a number of other groups in the past year.

I'm not much for posing anyone, although I have been working on it. I'd rather capture the raw, pure form of whatever it is I'm shooting. This goes specifically for music. One of the greatest things in the world is hearing the shutter release and knowing I got the shot I wanted.

I've had images published with Real Detroit Weekly, Six Degrees Magazine, The Record: Detroit's Music Journal, PictureThisDetroit.com, and The South End News. I've also had a number of my shots used by bands on their websites, fan sites, and myspace pages.

All of my work can be found at my website, and you can order prints and digital copies for yourself if you're interested. Just be sure you don't buy something from me that we have up for free on DetroitCity in the galleries =)

Not enough? OK. Some more: I'm 25. I'm engaged. I work two jobs. I'm aspiring to be a police officer. I've worked in an office cubicle. I've worked outside in the dirt. I can build a computer. I can program an operating system. I can cook. I played college lacrosse. I hold the club record at my former college for most goals by a defender. I have a dog. I love watching the Red Wings. I'm partial to Jagermeister, warm. I've never been west of Chicago. I've been to Europe. I speak some Spanish. I don't like beer. I've served on a jury. I graduated high school with honors. I can type 93 wpm. Current class load is 20 credit hours. I can recite the True Gentleman before a match burns through.

Now stop spying, and if you actually wasted the time to read through all this, take the time to shoot me a message or add me as a friend.

Hope for the Holidays

Dec 19, 2008

On The Rocks threw a benefit at the Crofoot and had a killer lineup for a three set, all acoustic show. A sample of performance shots is in the gallery from the night, and the full collection is being uploaded to my website: www.chrisrabior.com/concerts/

Shooting at the Fillmore tonight

Oct 23, 2008

Just got the word from Metro Recording Studios.. I'll be shooting downtown tonight at the Fillmore. I'll be covering the band what won 89X's latest competition at TNTs: Lies Unknown. Might make my way around to get some shots of the city with my new fisheye lens while I'm at it.

New Website!

Jul 15, 2008

I had a friend call me up to inform me my website was gone. My hosting company apparently closed down without notifying anyone. As such, I had an excuse to create a brand new one. It's updated in my contact info. Same address, new site. I'm migrating my entire photo collection over there for anyone interested in checking it out.

Indy 500

May 19, 2008

As much as I'd love to make it out to the DEMF, I'm going to be enjoying some time with rednecks, mullets, gearheads, and race exhaust this weekend down in Indianapolis. If any of you Detroiters are going to be there, I'm gonna be at the Coke Lot with a group of about 50 others. Should be a riot.

I'm With The Band @ TNTs

Mar 5, 2008

March 6, I'll be at my usual Thursday spot in Clinton Township at TNT's, doing my paparazzi thing with the bands and the spectators. Come on out, it'll be a blast.

Finding My Niche

I discovered my passion for photography much as a byproduct of my love for music. Somewhere along the line of the countless concerts I attended, I started bringing a little 3MP digital camera. I loved being able to capture the intensity of a live performance. I eventually upgraded to a digital SLR, and have amassed the right equipment to shoot concerts the right way. If I can get my camera into a venue, it's always with me. For those who don't know, metro Detroit is saturated with a talent, which goes beyond just music. There are a lot of great photographers here, and I'm working to establish myself as one of the best for concert photography. Along with music, I cover a lot of sports and athletic competitions. I've shot quite a few different events. Football, basketball, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, and most recently MMA to name a few. This is my favorite thing to shoot, second only to concert photography. As I mentioned, posing wasn't ever my strong point. I'd eventually like to expand into portraiture, since there's basically a full photo studio in my basement. I own some of my own studio lighting, so I'm just about set to bring my gear out on location for things.

My Gear

Canon EOS 40D Canon EOS 30D Canon 430EX Speedlite Flash Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC Macro Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 135mm f/2.8 Bogen/Manfrotto monopod and tripod Alien Bees B400 with umbrella

My Philosophy

I know how I got where I am, and I know where I want to go next. It wasn't by playing dirty, being disrespectful, or treating other people as a means to an end. I've learned a lot from those who I've been able to work alongside as colleagues and competition: Mike Spleet, Scott Spellman, Matt Dolinar, Mike Raffin, Jason Paige, Shane Glenn. Professional work doesn't mean anything if people don't care to work with you. I worked my way up like many hopefuls like me have had to do. I appreciated help I received, and I hope to be able to return the favor. I know that a good camera doesn't make you a good photographer, no matter how expensive the lens or body might be, any more than owning a Fender Stratocaster could put you on the same level as Hendrix. I love what I do, and I love the opportunities to meet people with the same type of passion for whatever it is that they do. I don't care to get involved in drama, but have no trouble saying what's on my mind. I don't have an ego, and I don't play well with those who do. I'm always open to new experiences, and I can't wait to see where things are going to take me.

Who and What I've Shot

Opportunities have certainly come and gone since I got serious about shooting. Here are some of the more memorable events/people/things I've shot: Pontiac Arts, Beats, and Eats Comerica Cityfest (previously Tastefest) Dally in the Alley Jack Kevorkian Senator Mike Gravel 2006 World Lacrosse Championships 2007 Michigan Wolverines 2008 Detroit Music Awards 2008 Red Bull Air Races in Detroit 2008 Red Bull Big Tune in Detroit Gin Blossoms Blessid Union of Souls Verve Pipe DK BMX Stunt Team Xtreme Cagefighting Championship Vincente Fox, former President of Mexico

E-Mail Address:
Website:	www.ChrisRabior.com